TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Media Rotana has an advantage as one of the key five star hotels that offers a totally new experience for their visitors, as it is only 20 minutes from the Expo 2020 site. It is one of the most sought-after hotels in Barsha Heights due to its proximity to the Expo site, business district and leisure areas. Sherif Madkour, General Manager, Media Rotana, shares their plans with TRAVTALK.
Shehara Rizly
What are you offering to welcome guests at Expo 2020?
Situated in Barsha Heights, a few minutes from Expo 2020 action gives us an edge over others. At Media Rotana, the comfort and safety of our guests remains an unwavering priority for us, hence, we adhere to strict health and cleanliness measures in all rooms, public areas and all facilities in the hotel. Another initiative in this direction is our contactless check-in and check-out experience.
Our hotel’s spacious accommodations, as well as five speciality restaurants that offer a diverse range of gastronomic delights, will be appreciated by guests. A temperature-controlled swimming pool, sauna, and steam room are
available for leisure and relaxation. For those who need a boost of adrenaline, our fully equipped gym is here to help you.
Could you share about the property’s renovation?
We recently completed a refurbishment of its lobby lounge, Connexions. The eatery now presents a stunning new look in addition to state-of-the-art coffee and tea brewing equipment as well as a signature coffee experience. The outlet showcases blackboard-style décor featuring trivia, coffee jargon and brewing techniques. To go along with the refurbishment, the outlet has also unveiled a new Afternoon Tea experience. The hotel will soon launch new promotions in line with the upcoming season of autumn. This month, the hotel will debut a new brunch as well as an outdoor BBQ at Prego’s and Nelson’s, as well as an Asian Street Food Market on its rooftop terrace, in conjunction with the opening of the terraces and the arrival of cooler weather.
Are there new source markets this summer?
Due to market closures and fluctuating travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic, most of our business has been domestic; however, whenever a new market has opened, we have taken advantage of the opportunity by activating our marketing campaigns and being among the first hotels to promote our offerings. We are now seeing a significant growth in GCC business market share from nations, such as KSA, Oman, and Bahrain, as well as increased leisure demand from the UK, France, Germany, Latin American countries, and Russia in the fourth quarter of the year.
What are the new market strategies?
We are pushing our direct sales and marketing strategy while keeping in mind the destination marketing sales strategy, so we are targeting each new market opens through all channels, whether it is social media or any other marketing medium to have the exposure that we believe business and MICE are still to take off. Will it be different this time? If that is the case, how will things change?
MICE is often thought of as a single convenient entity, but the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibits industry is vast and generates economic benefits far beyond conference halls and meeting rooms. We know that during the pandemic, everyone started with online meetings, but that will only last a short time because people want to meet and interact, and Expo 2020 is a great example of that. Media Rotana’s 16 contemporary and flexible meeting rooms make it a hugely popular destination for business seminars and corporate events.
How will the hotel benefit by Saudi market opening?
Saudi Arabia is a large market that is growing rapidly, so there are many prospects for both countries, particularly now that Riyadh has mandated two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. The rule went into force today and covers cultural, scientific, social, and recreational events as well. So far, more than 41 million doses of COVID-19 vaccination have been provided in Saudi Arabia.
How do you collaborate with agents?
All of our partners are frequently updated on our offers and invited to visit the property to observe the safety standards we have in place to ensure that business may restart as quickly as possible. We also make effective use of our Rotana Rewards Classic membership scheme, which is applicable to all room, meeting, and conference bookings made at the hotel.
